Oakland, CA artist-educator-activist Kev Choice is a pianist, M.C., producer, composer, and bandleader. His music combines his classical training, heavy roots in Hip-Hop, wit and conscious lyricism, to bring a positive and inspiring message to his unique blend of Hip-Hop, Jazz, Classical, R&B and Soul. Kev has worked and toured the world with the likes of Michael Franti & Spearhead, Goapele, Ledisi, Zion I, Too Short, Souls of Mischief, and The Coup. He served as music director for Ms. Lauryn Hill in 2007. As a performer, Kev has played at events for Barack Obama, Bernie Sanders, as well as Black Panther Party 50th Anniversary Gala, to shows at San Quentin Prison. He has production credits with artists such as Wiz Khalifa, Curren$y, Too Short, Elujay, Rexx Life Raj, Damian Lilliard, and more. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music (Piano Performance) from Xavier University of Louisiana and a Master’s Degree in Music (Piano Performance) from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. 

He leads his own multi-genre blending band, the Kev Choice Ensemble, Kev Choice Trio, and is part of music collective/band Black London. In 2018, he was commissioned by Oakland Symphony to write a piece and composed Soul Restoration Suite. In 2020, he collaborated with San Francisco Symphony and wrote “Movements”, a 15 instrument piece combining hip-hop and classical music with social conscious lyrics. “Movements” was released on San Francisco Symphony’s label SF Media in September 2021. Kev has released and produced 5 solo albums including Oakland Riviera(2014), and his latest album Social Distancing (2020), plus a number of collaborative projects and singles including The Lush and Luxurious Vibes (2020) with producer DJ Fresh and SEEDS 22 (2021) with producer DJ Basta. He currently teaches and is co-chair of the Instrumental Music department at Oakland School for the Arts and serves on City of Oakland’s Cultural Affairs Commission. He also serves on the Recording Academy’s SF Chapter board of Governors as Vice-President. He was recently named to YBCA 100 list for being a changemaker in the Bay Area. In 2020, his work received grants and commissions from Yerba Buena Garden Festival, San Jose Jazz, and Akonadi Foundation.